New Coaching Staff

Former head coach Dennis Erickson inherited a Sun Devils team in 2007 with a decent amount of talent and won 10 games in his first season.

Todd Graham inherited a team last year that was floundering for an identity and won eight games. Graham's decision to essentially overhaul the coaching staff has helped him win 10 games so far this season and has helped to change the identity and culture surrounding ASU football.

The Sun Devils are now a team that expects to win championships and have become the most disciplined team in the Pac-12.

Graham's decision to hire Mike Norvell as his offensive coordinator and Paul Randolph as his defensive coordinator has helped give ASU a true identity for the first time in a while.

Norvell's high-octane offense has helped quarterback Taylor Kelly and running back Marion Grice garner national attention, as ASU's offense ranks among the top-10 in scoring in the country.

Randolph's defensive schemes have made superstars out of players like Carl Bradford and Will Sutton, who would have gone unnoticed under previous regimes.

Graham's decision to bring in his own people has helped make the Sun Devils one of the best-coached teams in the Pac-12 conference, and is a major reason why the Sun Devils are winners.

Speaking Victory

Just a few years ago, Arizona State was a team that lacked discipline and structure.

Insert Todd Graham and the Sun Devils have suddenly become one of the least-penalized teams in college football.

The major difference in Graham's team compared to previous ASU teams is in the way it prepares and carries itself.

Graham has a very business-like approach to the game and expects nothing but the best from his players, who give it to him every game.

If a player fumbles, don't expect to see him on the field for a while. It's not a punishment as much as it is a testament to what Graham stands for: Perform at your highest level or you won't see playing time.

A perfect example of how Graham is a man of principle was when he benched star linebacker Carl Bradford down the stretch in the Oregon State game because he and Bradford got into a shouting match.

It was a move that could have cost the team the game and, eventually, the Pac-12 South title, but Graham thought it was the right thing to do so did it.

The players see these moves and have responded. The days of personal fouls, freelancing defenders and spotlight seekers are long gone.

What remains is one of the most mentally tough and prepared football teams in the Pac-12.

Recruiting

Todd Graham has been a recruiting magician since he came to Tempe, and it's not just about landing high school studs.

His real recruiting genius has come in his ability to attract the nation's best JUCO talent, like Marion Grice, Jaelen Strong and Marcus Hardison.

At one point this season, Grice was a potential Heisman Trophy candidate and Strong was added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list. Hardison has also come on late as a good pass-rusher on third-down situations.

Graham has helped ASU gain more traction in California as well, recently landing two big-name prospects in Jalen Harvey and D.J. Cahloun. Both players were committed to other Pac-12 schools before switching to ASU.

That sort of thing speaks volumes for the work Graham has done. Top recruits switching to come to ASU doesn't happen. ASU usually underachieves and losses recruits. It doesn't win the Pac-12 South title and bring in the best.

With Graham, though, things are different. There's a different feeling around the program and around Tempe.

Graham has used all his resources and changed ASU into a winning program that is now one win away from the Rose Bowl. This is just the start of what will be a beautiful relationship.